Spider farmer sf 4000 maximum wattage

The hlg 550 v2 has 1152 LEDs at 480 watts that's .416 watt per diode. So I do the math on 1212 diodes I should be at 505 watts. That would be the same driving power as the hlg 550 but for the sf4000. That is my max. I should be able to do that ok as these are the same exact diodes.

Why is it that nearly everyone switching from hid to led has calcium and magnesium deficiency??? It's a very common occurrence and I wouldn't really think that the par difference is that great to cause it. Maybe it is the ambient temperature being too low locking out the 2 nutrients??? Any input from long term led growers would be appreciated if.

Greenmountains802 said:

Why is it that nearly everyone switching from hid to led has calcium and magnesium deficiency??? It's a very common occurrence and I wouldn't really think that the par difference is that great to cause it. Maybe it is the ambient temperature being too low locking out the 2 nutrients??? Any input from long term led growers would be appreciated if.

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It's widely accepted that this is due to lower leaf temps. HPS growers are accustomed to keeping their temps in the mid-70's (F), but under LED you really need to be running your room over 80°. HPS puts out a lot of infrared light, which heats the leaves up; you need the higher leaf temps to aid transpiration.

That said, there are growers who have great success and no deficiencies, despite lower temps. However, they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Could be strain-related. But most find that when they get their environment dialed in, the deficiencies go away.

Yeah I noticed that with temps. I changed 2 things at once the temp and the medium as they were slightly root bound anyways. Usually at signs of trouble I try and change only one thing at a time it's easier to troubleshoot that way. I was running in the mid 70's then check leaf temp with an infrared thermometer and it was barely 70. I changed the max to 83 and leaf temp is about 77 immediately they perked right back up. I need to find a way to keep the on and off temp swings to a minimum but vented is hard when your lung room is about room temperature. I guess I may need a space heater. Thanks for your insight I appreciate it.

Humple said:

It's widely accepted that this is due to lower leaf temps. HPS growers are accustomed to keeping their temps in the mid-70's (F), but under LED you really need to be running your room over 80°. HPS puts out a lot of infrared light, which heats the leaves up; you need the higher leaf temps to aid transpiration.

That said, there are growers who have great success and no deficiencies, despite lower temps. However, they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. Could be strain-related. But most find that when they get their environment dialed in, the deficiencies go away.

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Airwalker16 said:

It can handle 600 for a while, surely. It's boards are on a large heatsink. Just make sure the air is moving around it while it's up. I'd say you oughtta stay under 530ish watts though.

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How do u guys increase beyond 450w on the sf4000? Mine at maximum setting is 440w

captainforest said:

How do u guys increase beyond 450w on the sf4000? Mine at maximum setting is 440w

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I have one of the old skool ones that doesn't have the dimmer box like the newest model does. The 2 drivers have potentiometers on each and mine came from the factory set at 456 watts. The potentiometers allow running higher than the 456 watts I actually had mine set to around 500 temporarily and ended up going back to the 450 range as I don't want to overdrive the LEDs. I don't think the new model allows them being pushed beyond the factory 460 range but I could be wrong.

I have an older model, I think I got it around 1 year ago. The drivers had to be turned upside down to adjust. I have it turned all the way up and have had for quite a while. How do you know how many watts your actually pulling.

Since the light created quite a bit of heat I built an 8” tall box around the top of it from leftover styrofoam insulation, and ran my ventilation fan to it to pull more air across the top.